For the first time ever, New York State voters oppose by a clear margin, 46 - 39 percent, drilling
for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, as concerns for the environment win out over the promise
of economic benefits, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Support for drilling peaked at 47 - 42 percent when the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-
uh-pe-ack) University poll first asked the question August 11, 2011. For the last year, voters
have been virtually tied on the question of whether they support drilling because of economic
benefits or oppose drilling because of environmental concerns.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is "carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking," 21 percent of
New York State voters say, but 30 percent say his is "dragging his feet...to avoid making a
decision," with 46 percent offering no opinion.

"New Yorkers might be getting impatient with the long delay over natural gas drilling.
They're turning negative on the basic idea and more of them see foot-dragging by Gov. Andrew
Cuomo rather than a careful evaluation," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac
University Polling Institute.

"The governor's strong leadership on gun-control cost him Republican support. A
decision on drilling, or hydro-fracking, could win back some of that support, but what would it
do to his Democratic support?"

"One surefire winner is the minimum wage, which continues to get overwhelming
support, including strong Republican support," Carroll added.

New York State voters support 80 - 18 percent raising the $7.25 per-hour minimum wage
in the state, continuing 78 to 80 percent support on this issue in five Quinnipiac University polls
over the last 12 months. Republicans support a minimum wage hike 62 - 36 percent, also
continuing a year-long trend. Support is 85 percent among women, 88 percent among New York
City voters and 96 percent among black voters.

Offered several choices on where to set the new minimum wage:

49 percent of voters want it higher than $8.50 per hour;

26 percent want to set the wage at $8.50 per hour;

4 percent want an increase, but less than $8.50 per hour;

18 percent want no increase.

"We're still a liberal state. Support for raising the minimum wage is huge, especially
among women, New York City voters and black voters," Carroll said.

New York State voters support 52 - 38 percent the creation of Las Vegas-type casinos in
the state, with support among all groups.

Voters, however, are divided 46 - 46 percent on whether changing the State Constitution
to allow for these casinos is a good idea or a bad idea.

And voters oppose 54 - 41 percent having a casino in their town or city. Upstate voters
are divided with 45 percent willing to have a casino nearby and 49 percent opposed. Opposition
is 55 - 41 percent among New York City voters and 63 - 34 percent among suburban voters.

"Casinos? Okay, New Yorkers say, but not in my town," Carroll said. "And voters balk
at amending the State Constitution, although that's the only way to get casinos."

From March 11 - 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,165 New York State voters with
a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.

For more information or RSS feed, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, or call
(203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter.

14. Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view?

TREND: Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view?

15. Which comes closer to your point of view; Governor Cuomo is carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking, or Governor Cuomo is dragging his feet and trying to avoid making a decision on the issue of hydro-fracking, or don't you have an opinion on that?

TREND: Which comes closer to your point of view; Governor Cuomo is carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking, or Governor Cuomo is dragging his feet and trying to avoid making a decision on the issue of hydro-fracking, or don't you have an opinion on that?

17a. (COMBINED Q16 & Q17)Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? IF SUPPORT: Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour?

TREND: (COMBINED)Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? IF SUPPORT: Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour?

19. There is a proposal to change the state constitution to allow for the creation of non-indian casinos in New York State, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

TREND: There is a proposal to change the state constitution to allow for the creation of non-indian casinos in New York State, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?